H.R. 2255 – EEOICPA Ombudsman Extension and Enhancement Act of 2007

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Workforce Protections Subcommittee

July 17, 2007

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 9, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1005)

May 9, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Judiciary Committee

May 9, 2007

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Workforce Protections Subcommittee

July 17, 2007

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 2255 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Earl BlumenauerD-OR-3 · Nov 8, 2007

Madam Speaker, I voted against H.R. 2255, which would create a Federally-backed national catastrophe risk consortium and provide below-market catastrophic loans to State reinsurance and insurance…

Madam Speaker, I voted against H.R. 2255, which would create a Federally-backed national catastrophe risk consortium and provide below-market catastrophic loans to State reinsurance and insurance plans.

I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues from Florida to raise awareness about the increasing costs of natural disasters on their constituents and the insurance industry. This is made worse because the number of people who live in harm's way is expanding dramatically; some estimates say that 75 percent of Americans are at risk for some type of disaster. Climate change will only compound the problem with predictions of increased frequency of extreme weather events and rising sea levels.

However, at its core, this legislation continues the trend of disguising the risks associated with living in hazardous areas. The Federal Government is already facing a huge financial liability associated with the impacts of Hurricane Katrina on the National Flood Insurance Program. Yet we have refused to take steps to address the root causes of the problem: more development and more expensive development in harm's way. I am concerned that this bill will increase our liability, without requiring communities to take meaningful steps to reduce their own vulnerability to natural hazards. This bill could potentially dramatically expand Federal liability before we come to grips with the problems of the National Flood Insurance Program and our natural disaster policies. We can't afford to take this leap.

The Federal Government has a special opportunity and responsibility to help communities prepare for and prevent damages from natural disasters. Instead of making it easier to develop in these areas, we should be taking steps to reduce property damage and loss of life, save taxpayer dollars, and protect the environment. Mitigation works: recent studies have shown that 1 dollar spent by FEMA on hazard mitigation saves 4 dollars in future disaster spending.

Until we deal meaningfully with prevention and mitigation, I must oppose this legislation.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 9, 2007

I

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2255

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 9, 2007

Mr. Udall of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Wamp, Mr. Whitfield, and Mr. Hastings of Washington) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to extend and increase the authority for the ombudsman under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the EEOICPA Ombudsman Extension and Enhancement Act of 2007.

2.

Increased authority for ombudsman under Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program

Section 3686 of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 7385s–15) is amended—

(1)

by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c)

Duties

The duties of the Office shall be as follows:

(1)

To assist individuals in making claims under this title.

(2)

To provide information on the benefits available under this title and on the requirements and procedures applicable to the provision of such benefits.

(3)

To act as an advocate under this title in appropriate instances, as determined by the Ombudsman.

(4)

To make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the location of centers (to be known as resource centers) for the acceptance and development of claims for benefits under this title.

(5)

To carry out such other duties as the Secretary shall specify.

;

(2)

in subsection (e)(2), by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(C)

Proposed changes in the administrative practices of the Department of Labor to mitigate difficulties identified under subparagraph (B) and potential legislative changes which may be appropriate to mitigate such difficulties.

; and

(3)

by striking subsection (g) (establishing a sunset date) and inserting the following:

(g)

Contract authority

The Ombudsman shall have authority to hire or contract for any supplies or services including the services of individuals with expertise in relevant disciplines, including health physics, medicine, industrial hygiene, and toxicology, as the Ombudsman may from time to time consider appropriate.

.